Humidifier for a patient support apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention is a humidifier for a patient support apparatus. The humidifier includes a vaporizer and a container. The container defines a reservoir. It is movable relative to the vaporizer between a first position operably coupled to the vaporizer and a second position spaced apart from the vaporizer.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national counterpart application ofinternational application serial No. PCT/US99/30953 filed Dec. 23, 1999.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a humidifier. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a humidifier to be used in an infant caresupport apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Patient or infant care support apparatus provide controlled temperaturesand humid environments for small or premature infants. A typical supportapparatus provides a generally transparent enclosure within which heatedand humidified air is circulated to minimize the heat loss of theinfant. Such apparatus are provided with a large access door to allowfor placement or removal of the infant. Supplemental access ways, suchas hand ports or small entry doors, are also often provided to permitroutine care of the infant while minimizing heat loss from theapparatus.

Typically, infant care support apparatus include built-in humidifiersthrough which filtered inlet air is passed. Other support apparatus mayinclude external humidifiers which introduce filtered humidified airinto the support apparatus. These humidifiers, however, are oftenconfigured or positioned such that refilling and cleaning theirreservoirs can be difficult. It would be beneficial, therefore, toprovide a humidifier that is movable with respect to the supportapparatus and is both convenient to refill and to clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a humidifier for use in combination witha patient support apparatus. The humidifier comprises a vaporizer and acontainer. The container defines a reservoir and is movable relative tothe vaporizer between a first position operably coupled to the vaporizerand a second position spaced apart from the vaporizer.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an infant incubatorcomprising a tub and a humidifier. The tub carries a patient supportsurface. The humidifier comprises a vaporizer carried by the tub, and acontainer defining a reservoir. The container is movable relative to thevaporizer and relative to the tub between a first position received bythe tub and operably coupled to the vaporizer, and a second positionspaced apart from the vaporizer and spaced apart from the tub.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides an infantincubator also comprising a tub and a humidifier. In this embodiment,the tub carries a patient support surface and has a wall defining aperimeter of the incubator. The humidifier comprises a vaporizer and acontainer also carried by the tub. The container defines a reservoir andis formed to include an opening in fluid communication with thereservoir. The container is movable relative to the vaporizer andrelative to the tub between a first position within the perimeter of theincubator and a partially spaced apart position providing access to theopening in the container, thereby providing access to the reservoir fromoutside of the perimeter defined by the tub.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the humidifier is madefrom a material that can withstand high temperature sterilization and ismovable to a third position spaced apart from the patient supportapparatus. In addition, the humidifier may include a container supportedon a slide, a refill pan to refill the container while in the secondposition, a valve to provide fluid communication between the reservoirand the container, a manifold to engage the valve when the container isin the first position, a front panel to provide a grippable body to movethe container between positions, a catch basin positioned to catchexcess fluid, a latch to secure the container to the patient supportapparatus, a spring to bias the valve member, and a seal movable betweenan open and closed position.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention aspresently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the attacheddrawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the humidifier according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the patient support apparatusof FIG. 3, taken along line II—II;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the patient supportapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the patient support apparatusof FIG. 5, taken along line II—II;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a portion of the patient supportapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the humidifier and patientsupport apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patient support apparatus of the present invention may beconstructed and operated in accordance with those apparatus shown anddescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/926,380, entitledPATIENT-SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other features of thepatient support apparatus are discussed in detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/925,981, entitled CANOPY ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMSFOR THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS; U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/925,873, entitled HINGED PANELS FOR A THERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/926,383, entitled HUMIDIFIER FOR ATHERMAL SUPPORT APPARATUS, each of which is also incorporated herein byreference.

The humidifier can be of conventional size and can be configured to beused in conjunction with any conventional patient support apparatus.During operation, fluid stored in the reservoir unit is transferredthrough an open valve to the vaporizer where a heating element changesthe fluid into a vapor which is then delivered to the support apparatus.It is appreciated that the humidifier can be made from any conventionalmaterial or materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic,foam, rubber, high temperature resistant materials and combinationsthereof.

Illustrative reservoir unit 2 includes a fluid storage containerdefining a reservoir 5 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Container 3includes a bottom 4 and spaced apart first and second end walls 6, 8attached to bottom 4 and extending upwardly therefrom. Each end wall 6,8 includes a top edge 10, 12, respectively. In addition, container 3includes spaced apart first and second side walls 14, 16 attached tobottom 4 and extending upwardly therefrom. Each side wall 14, 16includes a top edge 18, 20, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment,top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of end walls 6, 8 and side walls 14, 16 aregenerally coplanar. Additionally, side walls 14, 16 are attached to endwalls 6, 8 and cooperate therewith so that container 3 is fluidimpervious. Additionally in the illustrated embodiment, side walls 14,16 and end walls 6, 8 are integrally appended to bottom 4 and container3 can be molded from G.E.'s ULTEM®. It is within the scope of theinvention, however, as presently perceived, to form container 3 usingany suitable process and from any material that can provide a fluidimpervious container and that can withstand a high temperaturesterilization process.

Partitions 22 are appended to bottom 4 and extend upwardly therefrom asshown in FIG. 1. Each partition 22 is formed to include a top edge 24.Partitions 22 are configured to inhibit the flow of fluid withincontainer 3 in order to minimize the amount of fluid that may splashwhen the caregiver is moving or refilling reservoir 5. Thus, it iswithin the scope of the invention as presently perceived to configureand arrange partitions 22 in any manner desired in order to achieve thisresult. Illustrative reservoir unit 2 includes three partitions 22spaced apart between end walls 6, 8. Top edges 24 of partitions 22 aregenerally coplanar and are spaced apart beneath the plane defined by topedges 10, 12, 18, 20 of end walls 6, 8 and side walls 14, 16. However,it is within the scope of the invention as presently perceived toconfigure top edges 24 of partitions 22 to be generally coplanar withtop edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14, 8, 16 or even to extend topedges 24 of partitions 22 above the plane defined by edges 10, 12, 18,20 of walls 6, 14, 8, 16 if space in patient support apparatus 26 sopermits. To take advantage of the full storage volume of container 3,however, partitions 22 can be formed so that the fluid may flow betweenthem. For example, partitions 22 may be formed to include openingstherein (not shown). For another example, partitions 22 may bepositioned so that there are openings between partitions 22 and one orboth of side walls 14, 16 to provide a path for fluid communicationbetween partitions 22.

Illustrative reservoir unit 2 is formed to include such openings eventhough top edges 24 are spaced apart from top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 ofwalls 6, 14, 8, 16 as shown in FIG. 1. Each partition 22 includes afirst side edge 28 adjacent side wall 14 and a second side edge 30adjacent side wall 16. However, each side edge 28 is spaced apart fromwall 14 to form an opening therebetween and each side edge 30 is spacedapart from wall 16 to form an opening therebetween. Thus, it will beclear to those skilled in the art that fluid in any portion of container3 may flow to any other portion of container 3 and that partitions 22merely act to baffle the flow of fluid during movement of reservoir 5 toinhibit splashing.

Top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 of walls 6, 14, 8, 16 cooperate to define anopening in container 3 through which fluid may be added to reservoir 5as shown in FIG. 1. A lid 32 is configured to cover the opening and iscarried by top edges 10, 12, 18, 20 during use of support apparatus 26when humidifier assembly 1 is not being cleaned or refilled. Lid 32includes an edge 34 defining an opening 36 therethrough. A refill panassembly 47, including a refill pan 38 having edges 40, 42, 44, 46 andthree walls 48, 50, 52 appended to refill pan 38 and extending upwardlytherefrom, is provided on lid 32. (See also FIGS. 4 and 5.) As can beseen, wall 48 is appended to edge 40 and extends upwardly therefrom,wall 50 is appended to edge 42 and extends upwardly therefrom, and wall52 is appended to edge 44 and extends upwardly therefrom. Top edges ofeach of walls 48, 50, 52 of pan 38 are appended to edge 34 therebymounting refill pan assembly 47 to lid 32 and leaving one portion ofedge 34 undisturbed. Edge 46 of refill pan 38 cooperates with theundisturbed portion of edge 34 and with an edge 54 of wall 48 and anedge 56 of wall 52 to define an opening 58 that is in fluidcommunication with refill pan 38 and reservoir 5. Thus, it isappreciated that fluid can be deposited from a fluid source to refillpan 38 from which the fluid will flow through opening 58 into reservoir5.

A channel 60 is formed on bottom 4 within reservoir 5 terminating atedges 63 and 64. Edge 63 is appended to wall 6. A channel stop 67 isappended to edge 64 opposite wall 6 and extends substantially upwardfrom said edge. Channel 60 is configured to receive a portion of valveassembly 62. In the illustrated embodiment, an aperture 65 is disposedthrough wall 6. A valve guide 66 is provided adjacent wall 6 on theexterior of reservoir 5 and about aperture 65 to provide positional anddirectional support for valve assembly 62 to ensure proper connectionwith receptacle 68 in manifold 70. (See FIGS. 1 and 2.) Aperture 65allows communication with the exterior of reservoir 5 to enable transferof fluid to manifold 70.

In the illustrated embodiment, reservoir unit 2 is configured to coupleto a slide 72. (See also FIGS. 2 and 4.) Slide 72 includes side rails74, 76 which append to edges 78, 80, respectively of a basin 82, andextending upwards therefrom. End rails 84, 86 and 88, 90, 92 areappended to edges 94, 96, respectively, and are attached adjacent siderails 74, 76, respectively. Basin 82 is configured to receive reservoirunit 2 within rails 74, 76, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 which cooperate to limitmovement of unit 2 in the same plane as basin 82.

Illustratively, braces 95, 97 are positioned adjacent rail 92 and basin82 to assist in adding structural integrity to slide 72. Container 3 isconfigured to fit snug against rails 74, 76, 84, 86, 88, 90 and 92ensuring a consistent positional alignment between valve guide 66 andreceptacle 68 in manifold 70. Slide 72 further includes a catch basin 98to collect any fluid that may escape reservoir 5, (e.g., at valve guide66). Catch basin 98 is formed adjacent edge 100 of basin 82 and ispositioned in an orientation under valve guide 66 when unit 2 is coupledwith slide 72, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. A barrier 102 is appended toedge 104 of basin 98 and extends upward therefrom. The top edge ofbarrier 102 is appended to edge 100 thereby mounting basin 98 to slide72.

Slide 72 still further provides a front panel assembly 106 configured tocover edge 108 of cavity 110. (Compare FIGS. 3 and 5.) In theillustrated embodiment, assembly 106 comprises a block portion 112positioned adjacent wall 8 of container 3 and rails 88, 90, 92 of slide72, opposite catch basin 98. Block 112 is configured to receive braces95, 97. A front panel 114 is positioned adjacent block portion 112opposite wall 8, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Front panel 114 isconfigured to serve as a covering for cavity 110. It is appreciated thatblock portion 112 may be attached to slide 72 by extending screwsthrough basin 82 and into portion 112. It is further appreciated thatfront panel assembly 106 may be either attached to slide 72 orintegrally formed therewith. In addition, front panel 114 may provideindicia on its surface to communicate information to the caregiver.

A handle 116 is hingedly attached to front panel assembly 106, as shownin FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Handle 116 is a generally rectangular grippablebody that the caregiver grasps to move reservoir unit 2. A bore 118 isdisposed through a hub body 120 attached to basin 82 through which a pin122 is extended. Hooks 124, 126 depend from handle 116 illustrativelybeing spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of hub body 120, asbest shown in FIG. 1. Handle 116 is configured to couple to pin 122allowing said handle to pivot about bore 118. A recess portion 113 infront panel 114 is configured to receive handle 116. When handle 116 ispivoted in direction 128 to a generally vertical position, hooks 124,126 are so configured to engage flange 130 on edge 108 therebypreventing movement of slide 72 in cavity 110. Conversely, when handle116 is pivoted in direction 204 to a non-vertical position, hooks 124,126 disengage flange 130 thereby allowing slide 72 to move within cavity110.

Valve assembly 62 cooperates with reservoir unit 2 to selectivelyprovide fluid communication between reservoir 5 and manifold 70, aspreviously discussed. (See FIGS. 2 and 4.) In the illustratedembodiment, valve assembly 62 comprises a stem valve block 132, acompressing spring 134, a stem 136, a seal base 138, a plunger 140 and aseal 142. Stem valve block 132 is a longitudinally extending cylindricalbody having a hole 144 longitudinally disposed therethrough configuredto receive spring 134. Stem valve block 132 is positioned in channel 60between channel stop 67 and aperture 65 such that hole 144 is insubstantial coaxial alignment with aperture 65. Spring 134 is positionedin hole 144 adjacent a flange 146 formed at end 148 of hole 144 which ispositioned adjacent channel stop 67. Stem 136 is extended through spring134 along its longitudinal axis, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Sealbase 138 is coaxially attached to end 150 of stem 136. In theillustrated embodiment, plunger 140 is coaxially attached to seal base138 projecting in a direction longitudinally opposite from stem 136. Aseal 142 made illustratively from silicon, rubber or some other fluidimpermeable material is provided adjacent seal base 138 and positionedopposite stem 136 and about plunger 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Seal 142 isalso positioned within reservoir 5 having a larger diameter thanaperture 65 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). A seal 152 is fitted about valve guide66 adjacent wall 6 between container 3 and manifold 70. Seal 152prevents any substantial amount of fluid from leaking out of container3. If, however, an insubstantial amount of fluid leaks from container 3,it will collect in catch basin 98.

Tip 154 of plunger 140 is extended through aperture 65 and through valveguide 66 being positioned to the exterior of reservoir unit 2. Valveassembly 62 is configured such that bias from spring 134 directs a forcecoaxial to stem 136 against seal base 138 forcing seal 142 against wall6. This forms a generally water-tight seal around aperture 65 preventingfluid from escaping reservoir 5.

Manifold 70, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a T-shaped body 156 having areceptacle 68 and a coupling 158. T-shaped body 156 includes a centralbody 160 having laterally opposed flanges 162, 164 positioned atopposite ends thereof. Receptacle 68 is formed in body 160 andpositioned between flanges 162, 164. Illustratively, receptacle 68 is aconically-shaped recessed portion of manifold 70, as best shown in FIGS.2 and 4. Flanges 162, 164 include fasteners 166, 168 configured toattach to a support (not shown) within cavity 110 to maintain manifold70 in a fixed position. It is appreciated that fasteners 166, 168 may bethumbscrews. Flanges 162, 164 also include rail guides 170, 172 formedat edges 174, 176. Rail guides 170, 172 are configured to engage rails178, 180 longitudinally positioned along walls 182, 184 within cavity110 as shown in FIG. 6. This ensures manifold 70 is correctly positionedif removed and replaced.

Manifold 70 is positioned within cavity 110 between reservoir unit 2 andvaporizer 186 as shown in FIG. 6. Coupling 158 is the conduit throughwhich fluid exits manifold 70. Coupling 158 is in fluid communicationwith receptacle 68. A tube 188 is positioned in fluid communication withboth coupling 158 and vaporizer 186 thereby allowing fluid to transferfrom reservoir 5 into vaporizer 186.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, slide 72 and reservoir unit 2 areconfigured to be movably fitted in concert within cavity 110 engagingand disengaging valve assembly 62. Reservoir unit 2 is movable between afirst position having valve assembly 62 in an open position (see FIGS. 2and 3), a second position that places valve assembly 62 in a closedposition (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and a third spaced apart position (seeFIG. 6).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, slide 72 is shown in the first position allowing fluidcommunication between reservoir 5 and manifold 70. As shown in FIG. 2,slide 72 positions container 3 in cavity 110 such that tip 154 ofplunger 140 engages back wall 190 in receptacle 68 of manifold 70. Theinteraction between plunger 140 and back wall 190 supplies sufficientreverse force against the bias of spring 134 causing plunger 140 to moveseal 142 to a spaced apart position from aperture 65 allowing fluid toflow from reservoir 5 to receptacle 68 according to directional arrow192 (i.e., the open position). As container 3 engages manifold 70,handle 116 is pivoted in direction 128 to cause hooks 124, 126 to engageledge 130 in apparatus base 194, as shown in FIG. 2. The force exertedon ledge 130 by hooks 124, 126 maintains the reverse bias against seal142 maintaining same in the open position.

Manifold 70 being in fluid communication with vaporizer unit 186, allowstransfer of fluid from reservoir 5. Vaporizer unit 186 may be anyconventional vaporizer that includes generally a float housing, areservoir, and a vaporizer (all not shown). Illustratively, the floatcontrols how much and when fluid will enter vaporizer unit 186. As fluidenters vaporizer 186, the reservoir becomes filled. Once the fluidreaches its full level, the float blocks tube 188. This preventsadditional fluid from entering vaporizer 186. As fluid is being consumedby the vaporizer, the fluid level in the reservoir is reduced causingthe float to open tube 188. Fluid is again allowed to enter thereservoir until the full level is reached. This process repeats untilall the fluid from reservoir 5 is depleted. It is within the scope ofthe invention that the vaporization can be accomplished by anyconventional method or device used for vaporizing fluids.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, slide 72 is shown in the second position such thatreservoir unit 2 is in a spaced apart position from manifold 70 therebypreventing fluid communication between same. (i.e., the closedposition.) When reservoir 5 is depleted of fluid, unit 2 can be moved tothe second position to be refilled. To accomplish this, the caregivergrasps handle 116 and moves same in direction 204 to cause hooks 124,126 to disengage from flange 130. Slide 72 is then free to move withincavity 110. The caregiver may, by grasping handle 116 again, movereservoir unit 2 a distance indicated by reference number 206 sufficientto expose opening 58 in lid 32. When reservoir 5 is moved to thispartially spaced apart position, tip 154 of plunger 140 no longerengages manifold 70. Bias from spring 134 causes seal 142 to becomerepositioned adjacent aperture 65, preventing fluid from escapingreservoir 5. The caregiver may then pour fluid into the now exposedrefill pan 38. Again, this can be accomplished without having to fullyremove reservoir unit 2.

Reservoir unit 2 is also configured to be removable by the caregiver forcleaning purposes. Slide 72 is removable after hooks 124, 126 have beendisengaged from flange 130 by lifting slide 72 and unit 2 in an upwarddirection thereby occupying the space provided in cavity 110. Basin 98is lifted over base 207. Accordingly, unit 1 can be fully removed fromcavity 110. For cleaning purposes, lid 32 is removable from container 3,whereas container 3 is removable from slide 72. In addition, valveassembly 62 is removable from channel 60 and assembly 106 is removablefrom slide 72. This allows all the components of humidifier unit 1 to becleaned and sterilized individually.

Humidified air from vaporizer 186 enters the heater/impeller cavity 220provided in base or tub 194 of the patient support apparatus 26. (SeeFIGS. 3, 5 and 6.) The heater/impeller cavity 220 heats and distributesthe vaporized liquid from vaporizer 186. This humidified air is thencirculated about patient support apparatus 26. A cover 222 is positionedover heater/impeller cavity 220, as shown in FIG. 6, to restrict thedirection with which the vapor is fed into patient support apparatus 26.Patient support apparatus 26 also includes a deck 198, and a canopy 196.Deck 198 supports an infant and is placed on surface 200. Canopy 196shrouds deck 198 creating an isolated environment for the infant. As themist is released, it disperses throughout assembly 26 within canopy 196.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoingdescription, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essentialcharacteristics of the present invention and various changes andmodifications can be made to adapt the various uses and characteristicswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asset forth in the attached claims.

We claim:
 1. A patient support apparatus comprising a support having acontainer-receiving cavity; a canopy situated above the support, thecanopy cooperating with the support to provide a patient space; and ahumidifier operable to humidify the patient space, the humidifiercomprising a vaporizer coupled to the support and spaced from thecontainer-receiving cavity, a container for holding fluid and configuredfor insertion into the container-receiving cavity, and a valve assemblycoupled to the container, the valve assembly having a movable portionthat is movable relative to the container, the container being movablerelative to the support between a first position in thecontainer-receiving cavity and a second position in which the containeris moved away from the first position but is still at least partiallysituated in the container-receiving cavity, the movable portion being inan opened position to permit fluid to flow from the container throughthe valve assembly and to the vaporizer when the container is in thefirst position, and the movable portion being in a closed position toprevent fluid from flowing out of the container through the valveassembly when the container is in the second position.
 2. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the humidifier further comprises aslide mounted in the container-receiving cavity to support movement ofthe container between the first and second positions.
 3. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is made from amaterial that can withstand high temperature sterilization.
 4. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is movableto a third position outside the container-receiving cavity.
 5. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container furthercomprises a refill pan to which access is provided from outside thecontainer-receiving cavity when the container is moved to the secondposition.
 6. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontainer includes a container wall, the movable portion includes a sealthat engages the container wall when the movable portion is in theclosed position, and the valve assembly further includes a spring thatbiases the movable portion toward the closed position.
 7. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 6, wherein the humidifier further comprises amanifold mounted in the container-receiving cavity and in fluidcommunication with the vaporizer, and the manifold engages the movableportion to move the movable portion to the opened position when thecontainer is inserted into the container-receiving cavity and moved tothe first position to provide fluid communication between the containerand the vaporizer.
 8. The patient support apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe slide further comprises a front panel positioned adjacent to thecontainer and a grippable body to move the slide and the containerbetween the first and second positions, and the front panel closes thecontainer-receiving cavity when the container is inserted into thecontainer-receiving cavity and moved to the first position.
 9. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slide includes a catchbasin configured to be positioned under the valve assembly when thecontainer is moved to the first position.
 10. The patient supportapparatus of claim 8, wherein the front panel further comprises a latchmovable between a clasped position locking the container in the firstposition relative to the support and an unclasped position unlocking thecontainer from the support.
 11. The patient support apparatus of claim7, wherein the movable portion further comprises a stem coupled to theseal and a plunger coupled to the seal, the spring is a coil spring thatcoils about the stem, and the manifold engages the plunger to move themovable portion from the closed position to the opened position againstthe bias of the spring when the container is moved to the firstposition.
 12. The patient support apparatus of claim 11, wherein thecontainer wall has an aperture, the seal and the stem are located insidethe container, and the plunger extends from the seal through theaperture in the container wall.
 13. The patient support apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the stem and the plunger are aligned along a commonaxis.
 14. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontainer further comprises at least one partition provided therein toprevent fluid therein from splashing during movement of the container.15. The patient support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slide furthercomprises a catch basin positioned between the container and thevaporizer when the container is moved to the first position to catchleaked fluid between the container and the vaporizer.
 16. An infantincubator comprising: a tub carrying a patient support surface andincluding a container-receiving cavity; and a humidifier comprising: avaporizer coupled to the tub and spaced from the container-receivingcavity; a container for holding fluid and configured for insertion intothe container-receiving cavity, and a valve assembly coupled to thecontainer, the valve assembly having a movable portion that is movablerelative to the container, the container being movable relative to thetub along a substantially straight path between a first position in thecontainer-receiving cavity and a second position in which the containeris moved away from the first position but is still at least partiallysituated in the container-receiving cavity, the movable portion being inan opened position to permit fluid to flow from the container throughthe valve assembly and to the vaporizer when the vaporizer is in thefirst position, and the movable portion being in a closed position toprevent fluid from flowing out of the container through the valveassembly when the container is in the second position, the movableportion moving parallel with the substantially straight path when movingbetween the opened position and the closed position.
 17. An infantincubator comprising: a tub carrying a patient support surface andhaving a wall defining a perimeter, the tub including acontainer-receiving cavity within the perimeter; and a humidifiercomprising: a vaporizer coupled to the tub, a container for holdingfluid and configured for insertion into the container-receiving cavity,and a valve assembly coupled to the container, the valve assembly havinga movable portion that is movable relative to the container, thecontainer having a refill opening, the container being movable relativeto the tub between a first position in the container-receiving cavityand a second position in which the container is moved away from thefirst position but is still at least partially situated in thecontainer-receiving cavity, the refill opening being inside theperimeter of the tub and inaccessible when the container is in the firstposition, the refill opening being accessible outside the perimeter ofthe tub when the container is in the second position, movement of thecontainer from the second position to the first position results in themovable portion moving from a closed position in which fluid isprevented from flowing out of the container through the valve assemblyto an opened position in which fluid is permitted to flow out of thecontainer through the valve assembly and to the vaporizer.
 18. A patientsupport apparatus comprising: a support having a container-receivingcavity, a vaporizer coupled to the patient support apparatus, a fluidsupply container configured for insertion into and removal from thecontainer-receiving cavity while the vaporizer remains coupled to thepatient support apparatus, and a valve assembly coupled to thecontainer, the valve assembly having a movable portion that is movablerelative to the container, the container being movable relative to thepatient support apparatus between a first position in which thecontainer is received in the container-receiving cavity and a secondposition spaced from the first position, the movable portion being in anopened position to permit fluid to flow from the container through thevalve assembly and to the vaporizer when the container is in the firstposition, and the movable portion being in a closed position to preventfluid from flowing out of the container when the container is in thesecond position.
 19. The patient support apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe container moves along a straight path when moving between the firstposition and the second position and wherein the movable portion movesparallel with the straight path when moving between the opened positionand the closed position.
 20. The patient support apparatus of claim 18,wherein the container comprises a container wall that has an apertureand the movable portion includes a seal that engages the container wallto block the aperture when the valve member is in the closed position.21. A patient support apparatus comprising: a support having acontainer-receiving cavity, a vaporizer coupled to the support, amanifold mounted in the container-receiving cavity and in fluidcommunication with the vaporizer, a fluid supply container configuredfor insertion into and removal from the container-receiving cavity, thecontainer having an outlet, and a valve assembly having a movableportion that is movable relative to the container between a closedposition closing the outlet and an opened position opening the outlet,the movable portion moving from the closed position to the openedposition in response to engaging the manifold during the insertion ofthe container into the container-receiving cavity to provide fluidcommunication between the container and the vaporizer through the outletand the manifold.
 22. The patient support apparatus of claim 21, whereinthe movable portion comprises a plunger that extends through the outletand that engages the manifold during the insertion of the container intothe container-receiving cavity.
 23. The patient support apparatus ofclaim 22, wherein the valve assembly includes a spring configured tobias the movable portion to the closed position when the container ismoved away from the manifold to prevent fluid from flowing out of thecontainer through the outlet.